Differential diagnosis of vertebral artery fenestration and dissection: case report

Abstract

Arterial fenestration is a rare anatomical variant characterised by the presence of a congenital segmental duplication of an artery. In certain imaging modalities it may resemble arterial dissection, which, unlike arterial fenestration, is potentially lethal and requires treatment. The use of diagnostic methods that ensure a comprehensive visualisation of the vascular system, such as computed tomography angiography (CTA), may complete inconclusive results of exams performed with other modalities and enable the differential diagnosis of arterial fenestration and dissection.